etly attended a Roman Catholic
chapel near them. Doubtless Biddy, who was a stanch Romanist, had
connived at this.

And now she had planned this strange expiation for herself, and poor
Mollie must be sacrificed. What would Cyril have thought of such an
unnatural arrangement? For Cyril's sake, for Mollie's, Audrey felt she
must combat this notion.

'Mrs. Blake,' she said very earnestly, 'it is not for me to question
your actions with regard to yourself. If you are at heart a Roman
Catholic--if all these years you have been an unprofessed member of that
Church--it may be as well for you to acknowledge it openly. I do not
believe myself that a convent life is free from its trials and
temptations. Human nature is the same everywhere, and even sanctified
human nature is liable to error. Wiser people than myself would tell you
that peace of mind would be more surely attained by remaining in the
path of duty. Dear Mrs. Blake, forgive me if I pain you, but would'--she
hesitated a moment--'would not Cyril have disapproved of his mother
taking such a step?'

'I think not,' was the response. 'My boy's eyes are purified now; he
would judge differently. I shall devote the remainder of my life to
praying for the repose of his soul, and in repentance for my miserable
past; and it may be'--here she lifted her clasped hands, and a faint
light came into her eyes--'that Heaven may release me from my misery
before many years are over, and my purified soul may be allowed to find
rest.'

'God grant you may find it, poor, misguided woman!' was Audrey's secret
prayer; but she merely said aloud:

'We must live out our life as long as the Divine will ordains; but, Mrs.
Blake, I must speak of Mollie. If you will sacrifice yourself, you have
no right to sacrifice her. For Cyril's sake, let me have her!'

'You, Audrey!'

'Yes, I. Have we not been like sisters all these months? I think Cyril
would love to know she was with me; he was so fond of Mollie. He liked
to see us together. It will make me happier to have her; when Michael is
away I have no companion.'

'Do you really mean it?' asked Mrs. Blake, in an astonished voice. 'You
are very good, Audrey, but you are not your own mistress. Dr. Ross
would never consent to such an arrangement.'

'I have my own money. No one would be put to any expense for Mollie,
unless you wished to provide for her yourself.'

'I should certainly wish that.'

'Then in that case there will be no difficult